Hydroplanes and Sprint Boats Race The Rogue River At Boatnik

Boatnik Is A Weekend Of Fast Fun With Carnival Rides, Live Music, Food, And Boats Racing Up And Down The Rogue River In Southern Oregon

Boatnik is an annual event held over the Memorial Day weekend and kicks off the start of the summer season in Southern Oregon. The Rogue River running through Grants Pass has been home to the Boatnik Festival since 1959.

Boatnik starts on a Thursday at Riverside Park in downtown Grants Pass and continues through the weekend, ending the event on Monday with the Memorial Day Monday Men's Fast Pitch Softball Tournament Championship Game and the Tom Rice Memorial White Water Hydroplane Race. Some of the highlights of Boatnik include the downtown Grants Pass parade, a fireworks show, drag boat exhibitions and white water hydroplane race warm-ups. Other activities for the 5-day festival include sprint boat buoy racing, live music, carnival rides, arts & crafts, eating contests and food vendors with all types of cuisine. The festivities end with the annual Monday Sundae Ice Cream Giveaway. Boatnik is presented by The Grants Pass Active Club, whose members donate their time and personal resources throughout the entire year in preparation for this awesome and exciting event. All profits raised during Boatnik are returned to the community, helping children in need as well as donations made to many local programs for kids. For more information about Boatnik contact The Grants Pass Active Club. If you would like to read more about Boatnik, see "Boatnik on the Rogue River" in our Things To Do Annual Events listings for the month of May.